Exercise chair and method of manufacturing the same

ABSTRACT

An exercise chair comprising a base frame having a frame vertical axis and a seat movably coupled to the base frame and having a seat vertical axis, wherein the seat is configured such that the seat vertical axis describes bidirectional orbital motion around the frame vertical axis when the seat is in motion. A method of manufacturing an exercise chair is also provided.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This Application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/744,248 filed on Apr. 4, 2006, entitled “Hula Chair,” commonly assigned with the present invention and incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed, in general, to fitness equipment and, more particularly, to an exercise chair that simulates the motions of a Hawaiian hula dancer in an occupant and a method of manufacturing such exercise chair.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Various motorized chairs have been developed over many decades. One early design simulated the motions of a parent vigorously bouncing a child on the parent's knee or alternatively sliding the seat in a reciprocating motion much as a parent would comfort a crying child. A later design created a slow-speed, sideways rocking with back and forth tilting of the seat to hopefully induce sleep. Both of these designs are extremely mechanically complex. A motor-driven exercise chair has also been described wherein the chair main frame, i.e., legs, seat base, seat back and arms, remain fixed relative to the floor, and the seat effects a limited, rotary reciprocating motion of about 45 degrees. This design purports to passively exercise the leg muscles when the feet are on the floor, arm muscles when arms or hands are engaging the arms of the chair, and the back muscles through the arms or directly if the user's back is against the chair back. A more recent powered chair design addresses the need for an effective device to passively motivate the spines of paraplegic and quadriplegic patients, thereby reducing susceptibility to necrosis, or pressure sores, resulting from prolonged immobilization. In this design, an ischial pad is caused to undulate about two orthogonal, horizontal axes. This causes the patient's spine to be flexed in a manner simulating the natural motion of the patient's spine. Another powered chair mechanically employs multiple cams and rollers to create a Hawaiian hula-like motion in three dimensions with continuous unidirectional rotary motion. The embodiment is very mechanically complicated using sliding blocks and shafts, a complex U-joint, and seven cams to create swivel-rock, vertical and curvilinear-circular motion. While the disclosure asserts that the chair's movement can be adjusted for the user's taste by changing different sets of cams; in practice, the changing of any one or more of the cams would require virtually a complete tear-down and rebuild of the chair and would, therefore, be impractical for the average user.

Accordingly, what is needed in the art is an exercise chair that provides a reasonable hula-like motion to a seated user without complicated mechanical structure while enabling easy modification of exercise parameters by the user.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

To address the above-discussed deficiencies of the prior art, the present invention provides, in one aspect, an exercise chair comprising a base frame having a frame vertical axis and a seat movably coupled to the base frame and having a seat vertical axis, wherein the seat is configured such that the seat vertical axis describes bidirectional orbital motion around the frame vertical axis when the seat is in motion. A method of manufacturing an exercise chair is also provided.

The foregoing has outlined preferred and alternative features of the present invention so that those skilled in the pertinent art may better understand the detailed description of the invention that follows. Additional features of the invention will be described hereinafter that form the subject of the claims of the invention. Those skilled in the pertinent art should appreciate that they can readily use the disclosed conception and specific embodiment as a basis for designing or modifying other structures for carrying out the same purposes of the present invention. Those skilled in the pertinent art should also realize that such equivalent constructions do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a more complete understanding of the invention, reference is now made to the following descriptions taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates an exploded view of one embodiment of a hula chair constructed according to the principles of the present invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates a plan view of the control cover panel of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 3 illustrates an electrical wiring diagram of one embodiment of circuitry necessary to operate the hula chair of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring initially to FIG. 1, illustrated is an exploded view of one embodiment of an exercise chair 100 constructed according to the principles of the present invention. In one embodiment, the exercise chair 100 imparts a reversing, planar rotary motion to a human-carrying seat in relation to stationary structure of the exercise chair 100. The planar rotary motion of the human-carrying seat imparts a hula-like motion to the buttocks and torso of a human seated thereon. The illustrated embodiment of the hula chair 100 includes a base frame 110, a back frame 120, a left arm rest 121, a right arm rest 122, a backrest 130, a seat 140, an electric motor 150, a drive wheel 160, a drive belt 170, and a control board 180.

In a preferred embodiment, the base frame 110 comprises right and left rear legs 111, 112, respectively, a post 113, an aperture 114, front legs 115, jackets 116, coupling 117, upper leg extensions 118, rubber feet 119, and lower leg extensions 119 a. The back frame 120 is coupled to the base frame 110 with vertical (in the chair's normal, floor-supported, operational orientation) frame members 123, 124 sliding onto right and left rear legs 111, 112, respectively. Intermediate jackets 116 may extend between vertical frame members 123, 124 and rear legs 111, 112, respectively. The left and right armrests 121, 122 are coupled to left and right frame extensions 125, 126, respectively. The backrest 130 is coupled to the back frame 120 with brackets 127 and screws 128.

The seat 140 comprises a base plate 141 coupled to a cushion 142 with screws 143. A flange 144 is coupled to the base plate 141 with screws 145. A shaft 146 of flange 144 extends vertically downward into an upper bearing 161 that rides in an upper bearing race 162. The upper bearing race 162 is coupled within an eccentric column 163 of drive wheel 160. Drive wheel 160 further comprises a central bearing column 164 extending downwardly with lower bearing race 165 and lower bearing 166 located on the post 113 coupled to the base frame 110. The central bearing column 164 has a first centerline 167 and the eccentric column 163 has a second centerline 168. The first centerline 167 may also be considered a base frame vertical axis 167 as the post 113 remains fixed with respect to a surface (not shown) on which the exercise chair 110 rests. The first centerline 167 of the central bearing column 164 and the second centerline 168 of the eccentric column 163 are substantially vertical and parallel, but offset by about three inches. The first centerline 167 also passes through the center of the lower bearing race 165, lower bearing 166, and post 113. The second centerline 168 also passes through the center of the upper bearing 161, upper bearing race 162, shaft 146, and a center 147 of the seat 140. The second centerline 168 may also be considered a seat vertical axis 168 because the second centerline 168 passes through the center of the seat 140.

A bottom mechanism cover 171 comprises a bottom cover aperture 175 and couples to the base frame 110 with screws 172. A top mechanism cover 173, over drive wheel 160 and drive belt 170, comprises a top cover aperture 176 and couples to the base frame 110 with screws 174. The top cover aperture 176 is sufficiently large to permit complete rotation of drive wheel 160 with eccentric column 163 extending therethrough. The central bearing column 164 extends through bottom cover aperture 175 to rest on post 113.

The drive motor 150 is coupled to the base frame 110 at aperture 114, with the motor drive shaft 151 extending through aperture 114 and above the base frame 110. The drive motor 150 receives power from a power supply circuit board 182. Power supply circuit board 182 receives 110-120 VAC from commercial power through removable power cord 183 connected to a power socket 184. Of course, other commercial power sources may be used when appropriate circuitry is configured to adapt the commercial power to that needed by the drive motor 150. Power cord 183 is intentionally removable from the exercise chair 100 as a safety feature to avoid use of the chair by unskilled persons or unsupervised children. One who is skilled in the art will realize that either AC or DC power may be used to power the drive motor 150 provided that necessary electrical circuitry is provided and that the motor 150 has appropriate power, speed, and reversing capability. In a preferred embodiment, the drive motor 150 is a DC motor. Drive pulley 152 is mechanically coupled to the motor drive shaft 151 in a conventional manner. Drive belt 170 dynamically couples drive pulley 152 and drive wheel 160. Top mechanism cover 173 conceals and shields the drive pulley 152, part of drive wheel 160 and the drive belt 170, all of which are in motion when the chair is in use. Eccentric column 163 of drive wheel 162 extends vertically through top cover aperture 176 and supports the seat assembly 140.

The control board 180 is electrically coupled to the power supply circuit board 182 with control wires 181 which are routed from power supply circuit board 182 through right rear leg 111, vertical frame member 123 and right horizontal arm member 125 to right armrest 122 and control board 180.

A control head assembly 190 comprises the control circuit board 180, a control box base 191, a control box cover 192, and a control cover panel 193. The control cover panel 193 further comprises a keyboard area 194 and a display area 195. The control head assembly 190 couples to the right armrest 122 near a distal end thereof and is convenient to thumb operation of the keyboard area 194 which sets the controls for the motor 150. The control circuit board 180 controls the speed and duration of the motor 150 as well as the interval between changes of rotation direction of the seat 140.

Referring now to FIG. 2, illustrated is a plan view of the control cover panel 193 of FIG. 1. The keyboard area 194 enables the operator to input data to control the speed of the motor 150, the total operating time for the hula chair, and the interval of operation in one operating direction before reversing to the other operating direction. The keyboard area 194 comprises four membrane switches 201-204. The first membrane switch 201 is labeled START (L-R). The second membrane switch 202 is labeled STOP (RESET). The third membrane switch 203 is labeled A and is an increment switch. The fourth membrane switch 204 is labeled V and is a decrement switch. The status of the chair, i.e., speed level and selected operating time, are displayed in the display area 195.

The speed of the motor 150 is controlled by selecting from a slowest speed level 1, a slow speed level 2, a moderate speed level 3, a fast speed level 4, to a fastest speed level 5. The speed is changed while the chair is operating by pressing the third membrane switch 203 to increment the speed, or pressing the fourth membrane switch 204 to decrement the speed. To set the reverse motion timing interval, the chair 100 must be halted. To enter the set mode for reverse motion timing interval, the operator presses the second membrane switch 202 labeled STOP (RESET). Four timing modes for reverse motion timing interval are available and indicated by four indicator lights 205-208: 30 seconds indicated by indicator light #1 205, 60 seconds indicated by indicator light #2 206, 90 seconds indicated by indicator light #3 207, and 120 seconds indicated indicator light #4 208. Each press of the second membrane switch 202 labeled STOP (RESET) advances the reverse motion timing interval one step.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, to operate the chair 100, the power cord 183 is connected to the socket 184 and to a commercial AC power line. The display area 195 indicates “1:05”, meaning the default speed of the motor 150 is the slowest speed “1” and the operating time is 5 minutes “:05”, the least increment of operating time. To simulate the motions of a hula dancer, the operator sits on the seat 147, and adjusts the controls to the desired settings. As stated above, the reverse motion timing interval may be set at this time with the seat halted by repeatedly pressing the second membrane switch 202 labeled STOP (RESET). After pressing the first membrane switch 201 labeled START (L-R), the speed may be increased by pressing the third membrane switch 203 to increment the speed, or by pressing the fourth membrane switch 204 to decrement the speed. At the expiration of each of the selected increment of the reverse motion timing interval, i.e., 30 seconds to 120 seconds, the seat 140 will reverse its rotation direction until the selected operating time expires. To enter the set mode for operating run time, the operator presses the second membrane switch 202 labeled STOP (RESET). Four operating run times are available: 5 minutes, 10 minutes, 15 minutes, and 20 minutes. While in operating run time set mode, pressing the third membrane switch 203 to increment the run time, or pressing the fourth membrane switch 204 to decrement the run time will step the system through the four available run times. The illustrated embodiment of the hula exercise chair 100 automatically ceases operation when the selected operating time expires. In the illustrated embodiment, the exercise time never exceeds 20 minutes; the hula exercise chair must be restarted after 20 minutes or the expiration of the selected operating time, whichever is less.

These inputs, i.e., speed, operating time, and reverse motion timing interval, are directed to the power supply circuit board 182 which controls DC power to the motor 150 to achieve the desired speed and duration of unidirectional rotation of the motor 150. As the motor 150 turns drive pulley 152, the drive belt 170 causes the drive wheel 160 to rotate on post 113 of the base frame 110. As the drive wheel 160 rotates, eccentric column 163 rotates eccentrically about the post 113. This causes a center 147 of the seat 140 to describe a circular motion around the frame vertical axis 167. This may also be stated as the seat vertical axis 168 is caused to perform an bidirectional orbital motion around the frame vertical axis 167 when the seat 140 is in motion, while the weight of the operator holds the seat 140 to substantially non-rotation about the frame vertical axis 168. This causes a hula-like motion of seat 140 as well as the hips and buttocks of the operator. This motion strengthens the abdominal muscles and improves the limberness of the operator's spine. The direction of rotation of the drive wheel 160 changes in accordance with the reverse motion timing interval input to the control circuit board 180. It should be noted that the chair 100 can also be used to exercise the knees, more specifically, by the operator lying on the floor with his/her feet/calves resting on the seat 140.

Referring now to FIG. 3, illustrated is an electrical wiring diagram of one embodiment of circuitry necessary to operate the hula chair of FIG. 1. One skilled in the pertinent art is familiar with the conventional electronics shown in the diagram. Reference numbers correspond to the same element as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

Although the present invention has been described in detail, those skilled in the pertinent art should understand that they can make various changes, substitutions and alterations herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention in its broadest form. 

1. An exercise chair, comprising: a base frame having a frame vertical axis; and a seat movably coupled to said base frame and having a seat vertical axis, said seat configured such that said seat vertical axis describes bidirectional orbital motion around said frame vertical axis when said seat is in motion.
 2. The exercise chair as recited in claim 1 further comprising a drive motor coupled to said seat, said drive motor configured to drive said seat around said frame vertical axis.
 3. The exercise chair as recited in claim 1 further comprising a control head assembly configured to control a speed of rotation of said seat.
 4. The exercise chair as recited in claim 3 wherein said control head assembly is further configured to control an interval of unidirectional motion of said seat.
 5. The exercise chair as recited in claim 4 wherein said control head assembly is configured to accept input of said interval of unidirectional motion from said user.
 6. The exercise chair as recited in claim 3 wherein said control head assembly is configured to accept input of said speed of rotation from said user.
 7. The exercise chair as recited in claim 2 further comprising a drive wheel coupled to said seat and said drive motor.
 8. The exercise chair as recited in claim 7 wherein said drive wheel comprises a central bearing column coupled to said base frame and having a longitudinal axis substantially co-incident with said frame vertical axis.
 9. The exercise chair as recited in claim 7 wherein said drive wheel further comprises an eccentric column having an eccentric column axis offset and parallel to said frame vertical axis.
 10. The exercise chair as recited in claim 2 further comprising a drive belt coupled to said drive motor and said drive wheel.
 11. A method of manufacturing an exercise chair, comprising: providing a base frame having a frame vertical axis; movably coupling a seat having a seat vertical axis to said base frame; and configuring said seat such that said seat vertical axis describes bidirectional orbital motion around said frame vertical axis when said seat is in motion.
 12. The method as recited in claim 11 further comprising: coupling a drive motor to said seat; and configuring said drive motor to drive said seat around said frame vertical axis.
 13. The method as recited in claim 11 further comprising configuring a control head assembly to control a speed of rotation of said seat.
 14. The method as recited in claim 13 further comprising configuring said control head assembly to control an interval of unidirectional motion of said seat.
 15. The method as recited in claim 14 further comprising configuring said control head assembly to accept input of said interval of unidirectional operation from said user.
 16. The method as recited in claim 13 further comprising configuring said control head assembly to accept input of said speed of rotation from said user.
 17. The method as recited in claim 12 further comprising coupling a drive wheel to said seat and said drive motor.
 18. The method as recited in claim 17 wherein coupling said drive wheel includes coupling a drive wheel comprising a central bearing column coupled to said base frame and having a longitudinal axis substantially co-incident with said frame vertical axis.
 19. The method as recited in claim 17 wherein coupling said drive wheel includes coupling a drive wheel further comprising an eccentric column having an eccentric column axis offset and parallel to said frame vertical axis.
 20. The method as recited in claim 12 further comprising coupling a drive belt to said drive motor and said drive wheel. 